Steam, air, and water trap valve.



J.- E. BOEGEN. STEAM, AIB., AND WATER TRAP VANB. Arrmomxox rIL'nD un. '1, 1910.

lzatentd` Oct. 25, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. JOHN l. BOEGEN, .OFIB-BWYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB vT0 IROQUOIS ENGINEERING COM- f PANY, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

Speoiication of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Application lled Harsh 7, 1810. Serial No. 547,632.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. Bomann, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berwyn, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Imrovements in Steam, Air, and Water Trap alves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to steam, air, and water trap valves, and is designed more particularly for use in vacuum heating systems.

Valves of this ty e are placed-on the discharge end of radliators or other heating coils for the urpose of discharging the air and water of) condensation therefrom and one of the objects of this invention is to provide a valve of improved construction for accomplishin this purpose.

Another o ject is to provide the means for minimizing noise caused by the pounding of the valve stem and the rattling of the fioat which is usually attended in valves of this class.

Another object is to prevent the accumulation of grease and oils about the float, valve stem and ports.

Another object is to simplify the construction, and to construct the device so that the interior thereof may be made readily accessible for the ypurpose of cleaning or repairing.

Another object is to provide means Whereby the fioat may be Wholly inclosed within a oat chamber which communicates with an outer chamber through a series of apertures arranged along the l1ne of flotation for the peassage of water and with said outer chamr at the upper end by a series of apertures through which air may pass on its way to the discharge end of the device.

Other ob'ects and advantages will appear and to suc ends this invention consists in the several novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereafter wholl set forth in this specification and particu arly pointed out in the claims.

The invention 1s illustrated in the drawfurnished herewith in which igure 1 is la central, vertical, section through the device, Fi 2 is a central, vertical, cross section of t e casing alone taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. l, Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.

1, Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of a casing alone taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

In these views, 10, represents the casing, which is provided near its lower end with a laterally extending nipple 1l, that is provided with a coupllng 12, by means of which it may be attached to a radiator. The lower end of the casing 10, is formed with a downwardly opening neck 13, into which is screwed a fitting 14, by means of whichv the device is connected to the return pipe of the system. Said fitting contains a discharge aperture 28, and acts as a seat for a valve stem as hereafter described.

The casing comprises in general, two main sections, one located above the other, one section being in the form of an inverted dome adapted to act as a float bowl 15, for the fioat 16. The upper section 17, of the casing is of a greater diameter than the float bowl 15, and a horizontally extending ledge 19, joins the lateral wall 18, thereof with the upper marginal ed e of the float bowl 15. Said ledge is pre erably located at or immediately below the line of flotation, the purpose of which will appear later on.

The casing is cast with two passageways 20, 21, in its side wall, one of which (20) is the inlet passage for the air, steam and water of condensation and leads in from the nipple 11, and through a goose-neck passage 22, having a downwardly projecting tongue 23, therein underneath which the Water must flow before rising in the upright portion 24, of the inlet passage. Said passage opens into an annular chamber 25, in the upper section of the casing through a port 26, in the ledge 19, and consequently on or just below the line of flotation. The passageway 21, is the discharge passage and leads from said chamber 25, through a discharge port 27 in the ledge 19, and down to a point below the float bowl 15, where it connects with a discharge aperture 28, in the fitting 14. The up er' end of the casing has a screw threade opening through which the float and other parts may be inserted into the casing, and said o ening is closed by a cover 29, screwed into t e same.

The float 1Q, comprises a hollow shell and is guided to move in a vertical line, as for instance by a guide pin 30, at its up er end, which slides in a recess 31, and a vaii'e stem A lateral port 39, is

with an air vent 34, leadin from the recess lbowl raises the float suiciently to bring the 32, which extends through an opening 33, in the lower end of the float bowl and slides in the discharge a rture 28, in the fitting 14. The pin 30, 1s preferably constructed 31, to the interior of the oat 16, and has a ball shaped head 35, which lits loosely in the recess 31, so that air may pass around said head and through the vent 34. If desired a separate cap 36, may be secured into an openin in the cover 29, and the recess 31, form in said cap.

The valve stem 32, is tubular in form and rigidly secured to the float. Itis formed with a reduced ortion 37, to provide a shoulder 38, which) at certain times, (as for instance when the bowl is free of water) seats on the upper face of the fitting 14, but it does not seat thereon so long as the float is buoyed up by the water in the float bowl.

rovided for establishing communication tween the discharge passage 21, and the discharge aperture 28, and as shown said port is formed 1n the wall of the reduced portion 37 of the valve stem by making a notch in its lower end, The arrangement of the parts is such that said port 39, remains closed to prevent the escape of water, until the water in the float upper edge of the port 39, above the top of the fitting 14. This takes place whenever the water in the casing rises to the line of flotation which as heretofore stated, is just at or immediately above the ledge 19. I aim to have the afpex of the notch 39, reach the upper face o the fitting 14, when the level o the water reaches the line of flotation. Ifl the water in the casing rises faster than it is discharged, the float 1s correspondingly raised, uncovering more of the port 39, and permitting the water to escape more freely. 1n case there is a sudden inrush of water, the valve stem will be lifted clear of the discharge aperture 28, thereby uncovering the entire aperture and allowing the water above the bowl to be readily discharged. In case the water in the bowl seeps through the space between the wall of the opening 33, and the valve stem, faster than 1t accumulates in the bowl, then the float will gradually settle until the shoulder 38, seats on the top of the fitting 14. This action occurs principally when the steam is shut olf from the ra iator, but in operation the bowl usually remains full so that the Boat is cushioned b the water therein, and inasmuch as the disc ar e port 28, is closed'by the sliding down of t e valve stem in the discharge aperture until the notch is covered, no shock or jarring is possible, whereb the noise at this point is wholly eliminate Extending u-p from the to of the float bowl to the cover is a cylin rical wall 40, which, together with the cover and bowl, l

wholly inclose the oat 16, in a chamber 41, which may be termed the float chamber. In the preferred form of construction, the inner edge of the ledge 19, is rabbeted out to form a seat- 42, for the wall 40. The wall contains apertures 43, for the passage of air and steam, and apertures 44, for the passage of water to and from the float chamber 41. I have found it desirable to place the apertures y43, at the upper edge of the wall 40, and the apertures 44, at the line of flotation and have made a loose t between the lower edge of the wall and the ledge so that the water ma leak through the apertures. An annular c amber 25 is thus formed between the walls 18, 40, which chamber is located wholly above the line of flotation, and has a greater diameter than the float bowl, into which any sudden inrush of water must first pass before entering the float chamber. The wall 40, thus operates to shield the float from the impact of the inrushing water, thereby plreventing any rattling or wabbling of the oat The water rushing into the annular receiving chamber flows around on the ledge and through the apertures 44, in the wall 40, raising the float and consequently uncovering the discharge port 39.

In operation the nipple 11, of the valve is connected to the discharge end of a radiator or other heating coil and the fitting 14, connected to the return pipe of the system. The air is forced or drawn out of the radiator with the entrance of steam, and as the latter condenses, the water of condensation flows into the inlet passage 20. The dilerential ressure on the inlet and discharge ends of) the valve causes the water of condensation to rise in the upright portion 24, of the inlet opening, flow over the ledge 19, throu h the apertures 44, in the wall 40, and into t e bowl 15, the air having been drawn through the recess 3], vent 34, hollow float 16 and air l assa e in the tubular valve stem 32. en t e water rises above the line of flotation in the bowl the float is raised sufficiently to uncover the port 39, and. the water above said line discharged, at which time the port will again have been covered. Any sudden inrush of water will be received by the annular chamber above the ioat line, and as soon as sulcient water flows into the float chamber to raise the float, the discharge ort is opened. Should the water in the oat chamber rise Sulliciently to lift the float far enough to raise the valve stem out of' the discharge aperture, a much larger opening is presented thereby preventing the excess amount of water to freely escape.

It is evident that any oil or grease which may enter the annular chamber will float on the surface of the water and be dischar ed as soon as the loat rises to uncover the ischarge port. Furthermore, by arranging ture below the fioat chamber, of a oat in the fitting 14, to be screwed into the neck l from below, it may be readily unscrewed for the removal of any accumulation` of large t foreign particles or Sediment, should anfyI such accumulation occur'. y

I realize 'that l various alterations and modifications of this device are possible l without departin from the spirit of my inli vention, and I o not therefore desire to limit myself to the exact form of 'construction shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a valve casing `having a central float chamber which is closed at its bottom, and an annular chamber in direct communication therewith and surrounding the same solely above the line of liotation,` said casing being provided with inlet and discharge passages opening into said annular chamber, of a float within the float chamber having a valve for controlling the discharge passage and being provided with an air discharge passage communicating with said annular chamber.

2. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a valve casing having a central float chamber, and an annular chamber in communication therewith, and surrounding the same solely above the line of flotation, said casing being provided with inlet and discharge passages opening into the annular chamber a proximately on a level with the line of otation, 'of a float within said float chamber having a valve stem for controlling the discharge passage and being provided with an air discharge passage communicating with said annular chamber.

3. In a valve of the class described, the f combination with a valve casing having a central fioat bowl, a chamber above the same of greater diameter than the float bowl, and inlet and discharge passa es leadin .to said upper chamber, of a per orated cy indrical wall extending upward from the float bowl to provide an annular chamber in said chamber of greater diameter which is in communication with the interior of the chamber within the cylindrical wall, and a Hoat in said float bowl having a valve stem for controlling the discharge passage, and being provided with an air discharge passage communicating with the chamber of greater diameter.

4. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a valve casing rovided with a float chamber having a close bottom, and inlet and discharge passages communieating with the float chamber, said discharge passage leading to a vertical discharge aperthejyfloat chamber having a valve stem ro- ]'ectngintoQthe Vdischarge aperture to c ose the same, and having a downwardly flaring port in its side which extends up from its ower edge, said float operating when lifted sufficient-ly by the rise of-w-ater in the float chamber, to Wholly withdraw the valve stem :from the discharge aperture substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

5. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a valve casing having a float chamber, closed at the bottom, and in` let and outlet passages communicating therewith, said discharge passage leading below the float chamber and terminating in a vertical discharge aperture, of a float Guided in said float chamber and actuated by the rise and `:tall of water in the float chamber to rise and fall'therewith, and a valve stem secured to the float and projecting down through a central opening in the bottom of the float chamber and closing the same, and sliding in-and out of said discharge aperture to wholly close and open the same, said valve stem being provided with a lateral port at its lower end for affording a restricted discharge port when said valve stem is raised slightly from the closed osition.

6. In a valve of the c ass described, the combination with a valve casing having a float chamber and inlet and dischargepas sages, said discharge passage leading to a discharge aperture below the float chamber, of a float in the float chamber having a valve stem provided with a downwardly Haring port which extends up from its lower edge in its side, and sliding in said discharge aperture, said port being adapted to establish communication between the discharge passage and discharge aperture when the float 1sv lifted by the rise of the water to a predetermined level in the float chamber.

7. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a casing having a. float chamber, an annular chamber located above the line of flot-ation, and in communication with the float chamber, and inlet and discharge passages opening int-o the annular chamber, of a float in the float chamber having a tubular valve stem sliding in and normally closing the discharge port of the discharge passage, said valve stem. having a downwardly flaring port in its side which is adapted to be uncovered by the upward movement of the float and valve stem.

8. In a valve of the class described, the combination. with a valve casing having a float chamber, an annular chamber located above the line of flotation and in communication wit-h the float chamber, inlet and discharge passages opening in t-he annular chamber, and a. fitting having a discharge aperture opening out from the discharge passage, of afloat in said float chamber, a valve stem carried thereby and having a reduced portion sliding in the discharge aperture ofthe fitting to close the same, said 4reduced portion having a lateral ort arranged to be exposed when the voat and valve stem are ralsed above a certain predetermined position.l

9. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a valve casing having a float chamber, closed at the bottom, and inlet and discharge passages communicating therewith, approximately at the line of flotation, said discharge passage terminating in a discharge aperture below the float chamber, of a hollow float having an air vent in its up er end; and bein pend v by water in the oat cham er, a 'tubular valve stein carried by said float and projectiii down through an opening in the ottom o the float chamber and closing the same, the lower end of -said valve stem being arranged to move in and out of said discharge port, and having a downwardlyilaring lateral port, extendin up from its lower edge, which port is who 1y covered by the surroundin wall of the discharge aperture when the Ievel of the water in the float chamber is on the line of flotation, but which becomes .uncovered gradually as the vfloat begins to rise with the water in the float chamber, whereby the valve constantly discharges water of condensation as the steam oondenses in the radiator, said fioat being capable of rising suiciently to wholly withnormall f susdraw the valve stem from the discharge aperture.

10. In a valve of the class described, the combination with a casing having chamber, closed at the bottom, an inlet passage to the float chamber and a discharge passage from the iioat chamberz terminatin elow the same, said casing being pro-vide witha neck, formed integral therewith, and opening down from the discharge passage, o a tubular fitting adapted for connection with a return pipe and being screwed into said neck from below, said fitting having a discharge aperture in its upper end opening directly into the discharge passage of the casing, a float in the ioat chamber and a valve stem carried by said float and projecting down through an opening in the bottom of the float chamber and closing the same, the lower end of said stem sliding in and out of said discharge aperture in the fitting and having a lateral ort at its lower end which is uncovered by t e rise of the float from its normal position of iotation.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 5th day of March 1910.

JOHN E. BOEGEN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES O. SHERVEY, FANNm F. RICHARDS.

a float 

